Daughter needs new car

[IndyIan]

Something bigger and safer. Your grandkids will ride in it....

In this particular accident, a higher CoG SUV has a pretty good chance of doing a few rolls, going sideways in the grass median at 60+mph...

That said, Nissans in general within their particular car classes, seem to either have very poor drivers or poor safety design as they perform near the worst in real life, according to the iihs stats.

For a small sedan, VW Golf/Jetta are pretty good safety wise, and up to 2015 you could still get the simple 2.0. I'm not an expert on the later turbo engines, but IMO they are not ideal for simple transportation.

Although with something like a new Elantra OTD under $18k, maybe this is a good option.
https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicle/774139401

 

[Vexorg]

There is a rental place next to where I work and they sell off their rental fleet at really decent prices for 1-2 year old cars. The only downside is that they usually are vinyl seats and crank windows ie. lowest options available type cars but if it is just for back and forth to work it might be a good option to look locally.

 

[Chris142]

the police gave her a ride home.

That is the most amazing part of this story!

 

[Nukeman7]

Although with something like a new Elantra OTD under $18k, maybe this is a good option.
https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicle/774139401

If I am reading the fine print correctly, that special pricing and financing requires a $3202 down payment upfront. Therefore, it looks more like ~$21,000 OTD, not ~$18,000.

 

[GaryMX5]

Civic, Corolla, Mazda 3 or even an Impreza are well known as reliable new or used cars. There's very good reasons why they are so popular. I'm would be willing to pay extra for a good low milage example of any one of these.

 

[rstsco]

Latest update - She currently has a rental... a Ford Escape. For now, she's just thankful to have something to drive. Went to the tow lot and got the stuff out of her car, then went and bought a new car seat for my granddaughter. The insurance company hasn't officially condemned her car yet, so is taking a breather until she knows for sure. In the meantime, I'll put out some feelers and see what I can come up with.

Things like this really makes you realize just how vulnerable we are out there. I was rear-ended sitting at a stop sign in my Audi a couple of years ago.

 

[iCurious]

Taking @Sequoiasoon 's suggestion and told her to see if she can get a Camry rental to see if she likes it okay. Their primary car is a 2024 Outback, so she really only needs something safe and reliable which gets good mileage.

The granddaughter wasn't in the car, but her insurance company has already told her to buy a new car seat for her since it was in the car when hit. I'm glad to see her insurance is being proactive.

@crashz - I have a subscription to visor.vin and checked 2014 Altimas for sale near us. Found six with pricing which ranged from $4k - $8k. Those at the higher end had slightly more miles than she does, so can at least use those listings to help get a higher valuation for her car from the insurance company. Have to at least try.

I would say a Toyota.

 

[rstsco]

Last update - Her insurance company totaled her car, as expected. They sent her an offer for $4,620 for her car. With her $500 deductible, she would get $4,120. Several of the comps in their estimate with about the same mileage was just over $5,000, so she requested they reconsider their offer, since they heavily weighted their offer based on the lowest comp they provided. If she gets a few hundred dollars more, good on her. If not, their current offer is at the low end of fair and not worth the few hundred dollars to her to put up any more resistance. Of course, insurance companies look at a few hundred dollars times all the other offers/estimates made daily, which adds up to a lot of money.

She test drove several cars this week, and decided to buy a 2026 Toyota Camry. All new Camrys are hybrid, and their battery warranty is 10 years/150k miles. This car will almost exclusively be for commuting to work, so the hybrid makes total sense with stop-and-go traffic. She settled on a front wheel drive LE model, which is the lowest trim level, but having all the bells and whistles important to her. Toyota has a current offer on the Camry LE models of 0% interest for up to 60 months. Although I think she could have gotten a better deal, the total OTD price (selling price + state sale's tax + $225 doc fee + state registration fee for the first two years) is right at $34k. She's putting down $10k, so financing ~$24k at 0% interest. The car in the color she wants arrives at the dealership this morning. All the paperwork is completed, so only a test drive and look around for any shipping damage and the car is hers (she has it in writing she can back out of the deal is there are any problems with the car upon arrival).

Thank you for everyone's well wishes and suggestions. They are greatly appreciated.

 

[earthbound]

How about an EV that depreciated by 50percent or more in less then 24 months.

doubt he wants a Tesla...

 

[Huskyguy68]

Last update - Her insurance company totaled her car, as expected. They sent her an offer for $4,620 for her car. With her $500 deductible, she would get $4,120. Several of the comps in their estimate with about the same mileage was just over $5,000, so she requested they reconsider their offer, since they heavily weighted their offer based on the lowest comp they provided. If she gets a few hundred dollars more, good on her. If not, their current offer is at the low end of fair and not worth the few hundred dollars to her to put up any more resistance. Of course, insurance companies look at a few hundred dollars times all the other offers/estimates made daily, which adds up to a lot of money.

She test drove several cars this week, and decided to buy a 2026 Toyota Camry. All new Camrys are hybrid, and their battery warranty is 10 years/150k miles. This car will almost exclusively be for commuting to work, so the hybrid makes total sense with stop-and-go traffic. She settled on a front wheel drive LE model, which is the lowest trim level, but having all the bells and whistles important to her. Toyota has a current offer on the Camry LE models of 0% interest for up to 60 months. Although I think she could have gotten a better deal, the total OTD price (selling price + state sale's tax + $225 doc fee + state registration fee for the first two years) is right at $34k. She's putting down $10k, so financing ~$24k at 0% interest. The car in the color she wants arrives at the dealership this morning. All the paperwork is completed, so only a test drive and look around for any shipping damage and the car is hers (she has it in writing she can back out of the deal is there are any problems with the car upon arrival).

Thank you for everyone's well wishes and suggestions. They are greatly appreciated.

Great choice. Even a ''smaller '' Corolla hybrid would of been great, but the Camry is longer/wider and I think more power then the Corolla hybrid.
Even the older used Gas engine Camry/Corollas are a wise choice . They hold their resale values very well for a valid reason(s).
Same with many Hondas/Acuras . Mazdas and some Subarus can be very good.

Two car brands I tend to avoid are Ford and Kia/Hyundai .
Ford has numerous recalls on almost everything.
Kia /Hyundai is very similar , with recalls , engine fires, carbon build up issues, '' do not drive'' recall safety notices.

Anyways, glad to hear your daughter is alive and healthy and she found herself a good, safe, reliable new car.

 

[burbguy82]

This is the best choice.....solve the issue of hit and run.

https://www.paramountgroup.com/capabilities/land/marauder

 

[Owen Lucas]

Last update - Her insurance company totaled her car, as expected. They sent her an offer for $4,620 for her car. With her $500 deductible, she would get $4,120. Several of the comps in their estimate with about the same mileage was just over $5,000, so she requested they reconsider their offer, since they heavily weighted their offer based on the lowest comp they provided.

Thank you for everyone's well wishes and suggestions. They are greatly appreciated.

Give me the VIN, odo, and zip, and I'll see what the realistic value is. (I'm an insurance adjuster) Insurance valuation reports cherry pick low end vehicles.

Toyota has a current offer on the Camry LE models of 0% interest for up to 60 months

Wow this is great! I'll have to check it out.

 

[JayhawkRoy]

Latest update - She currently has a rental... a Ford Escape. For now, she's just thankful to have something to drive. Went to the tow lot and got the stuff out of her car, then went and bought a new car seat for my granddaughter. The insurance company hasn't officially condemned her car yet, so is taking a breather until she knows for sure. In the meantime, I'll put out some feelers and see what I can come up with.

Things like this really makes you realize just how vulnerable we are out there. I was rear-ended sitting at a stop sign in my Audi a couple of years ago.

Last two accidents my wife has been involved in (I haven't been in any for over 20 years) were persons who rear ended her.
#1 was a Dodge truck who rear ended her at 60 mph because of inattentive driving --cell phone use. She walked away with no injuries but the Outback did not.
#2 was rear ended at a stop light. She stopped normally and he didn't. Vehicle was mostly repairable but at 180K miles I wanted to downsize our fleet anyway.

 

[SEBZX79]

doubt he wants a Tesla...

There is a lot more evs then just TSLA. I love my zdx that essentially cost half price in 12 months but punches way above its wait.

 

[wag123]

the total OTD price (selling price + state sale's tax + $225 doc fee + state registration fee for the first two years) is right at $34k.

What is the name of the Toyota dealer (if you don't mind my asking)? The reason I ask is that the $225 doc fee is very low compared to other dealers in the area.

 

[rstsco]

What is the name of the Toyota dealer (if you don't mind my asking)? The reason I ask is that the $225 doc fee is very low compared to other dealers in the area.

The $225 doc fee is mandated by the State of Texas under Tex. Admin. Code § 84.205 - Documentary Fee, unless the seller can provide documentation as to why they need to charge more than $225. Our doc fee was $225 last year when we bought our Pilot in San Antonio.

(a) Purpose. Under Texas Finance Code, § 348.006(e), before a retail seller charges a documentary fee greater than $225, the seller must provide the OCCC with a written notification of the maximum amount of the documentary fee the seller intends to charge. The OCCC may review the amount of the documentary fee for reasonableness. This section describes the requirements for the notification and cost analysis.
(b) General requirements.
(1) $225 or less. A seller is not required to provide a notification or cost analysis to the OCCC before charging a documentary fee of $225 or less. A documentary fee of $225 or less is presumed reasonable under Texas Finance Code, § 348.006(f).
(2) Over $225. Before charging a documentary fee greater than $225, a seller must provide a notification and a cost analysis to the OCCC.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

I'm glad she is able to get what she wants color wise quickly with all the safety and features.

Now back to BITOG......Early oil and filter change at what miles with what oil and filter? Planned future OCI's with what?

On a serious note for OCI, how do Hybrid owners judge that? Does it go by miles, engine run hours, how many start/stop cycles? If she is in stop and go, how many times does motor not get really hot running just enough to charge battery. Obviously many have hybrids for many years without issues following MM. I'm just wondering how the oil change loving group handles that?

Pictures? Color?

 

[The_Jeff]

Great choice. Even a ''smaller '' Corolla hybrid would of been great, but the Camry is longer/wider and I think more power then the Corolla hybrid.

I've been watching new Prii, Corolla hybrids, and Camrys, and the Camry seems to be the value leader. They're all hybrids, like you said, but Camrys are made in Kentucky, USA, and seem at this moment to have fewer tarriffs, or maybe just more unsold cars so Toyota's making deals. And again like you said, it's more metal for around the same money.

 

[Huskyguy68]

I've been watching new Prii, Corolla hybrids, and Camrys, and the Camry seems to be the value leader. They're all hybrids, like you said, but Camrys are made in Kentucky, USA, and seem at this moment to have fewer tarriffs, or maybe just more unsold cars so Toyota's making deals. And again like you said, it's more metal for around the same money.

Im curious to see what the next Corolla will look like.
I like the 2026 Corolla, especially the 169 hp gas engine model.
But i have a gut feeling the 2027 will be some goofy turd .

A goofy turd with 24 inch tablet screens , touch screen auto cvt, ugly cheap interior .
A Sport package that is basically a few pin stripes and a Sport badge on the trunk lid.
I hope im wrong.

 

[PandaBear]

It is really hard to say whether used or new is always better, it really depends on your need and budget, and preference.

Used car prices is a reflection of the opinion and value people have with the model. It is a particular price for a good reason usually (reliability, refinement, etc). I wouldn't be too concern about one model being way more than the other because they typically are higher or lower for a reason. If a used one is too high compare to a new one that also mean the new one is a relative bargain. I look at new car price backward from used price to see if buying new is a good deal, instead of the other way around.

I have bought both kinds and did well, and I have taken over used car from relatives that turn into a nightmare. My only advice is to decide what kind of vehicles your daughter need and then decide whether the budget work, and whether they are familiar with the model they want and are comfortable with the pros and cons of the model.

Glad your daughter is safe. The car has done its job protecting her.